Important Things to Know

ʻAʻole Ants! (No Ants!)

Help us keep Maunakea free of ants. Maunakea is one of the few places in the State where invasive ants are not found.

Category:Science Visitor Information Environment Management General

All ants in Hawai`i are introduced. Ants are often destructive, competitive predators that can survive at high elevations. The Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile) for example, can survive at high elevations and is established at Pu’uhuluhulu and Maunakea County Park (popular nearby stopping points for visitors coming up to Maunakea).

There have been many studies showing the impacts of ants on Hawaiian ecosystems. Not only do they compete with native Hawaiian animals, they can also eliminate Hawaiian plants that rely on those native animals for pollination, reproduction, and survival.

Ants are spread primarily by humans: with plant materials, vehicles, supplies, food, etc. Please help us protect the Hawaiian plants, birds, and arthropods on Maunakea by checking vehicles and supplies for ants before coming up. If you see an ant while on the mountain, tell a Maunakea Ranger immediately. Mahalo nui!